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A Ferret As A Pet
Choosing a pet is very important. There are many pets that you can choose from but there are also many things to consider when choosing a pet. Some very important things to consider are:
1.) Do you have the space to keep this pet happy and healthy?
2.) Do you have the time that is required to care for this pet properly?
3.) Do you know enough about this pet?
A ferret is an active, mischievous little animal. It is possible to litter train a ferret and let him have the run of the house but keep in mind that he will get into everything in sight and all dangerous things should be put out of reach. Even if you decide that you will let him run loose during the daytime, you will still need a secure cage to keep him in at night. The cage should be large enough to allow the ferret enough space to move around freely and to play. Put some pine shavings in the bottom of the cage along with a food and water dish.
A ferret requires a lot of care and attention. Feeding, grooming, and bathing are just some of the things that your ferret will need you to do for him to keep him happy and in good health. Ferrets are very active and playful. They will play with toys but they would rather play with you. They are also very nosey and their curiosity will often get them in all sorts of trouble. Ferrets can be very destructive if they are not supervised at all times. During the times when you can not watch him, he is better off in his cage. Also keep in mind that many houseplants are toxic to ferrets and should be kept out of reach of your pet.
As with any pet, it is a good idea to learn everything you can about the pet that you are considering before you make a final decision that this is the right pet for you and your family. An excellent place to begin asking questions is at the pet store. Not only can the owner/dealer give you a lot of information himself, he can also connect you with other experts for further information and advice.
When you choose a ferret there are some things that you can look for to be sure you have a healthy ferret that has been well taken care of. Does the ferret look clean? Is his coat shiny? Does the pet store look clean? Does the owner seem helpful and knowledgeable? If you are comfortable with the pet store and the owner, it's time to choose your new pet. Take your time when choosing a ferret. They all have different personalities and behaviors.
Care And Feeding
A ferret will eat a wide variety of foods but his main diet should be a prepared dry food that has been made specifically for ferrets. A ferret needs a lot of protein. It would be very hard to provide the correct amount of protein without prepared food. This food has been prepared according to the nutritional needs of a ferret. In addition to the dry food you should also offer small amounts of cooked chicken, cooked egg yolks, and prepared treats for ferrets. Water needs to available at all times.
If you want your ferret to be very tame you will need to handle him. The more you handle him the more he will like to be handled. Eventually he will come to you for petting and attention.
Grooming And Bathing
You can groom your ferret by brushing his coat about once or twice a week to keep it clean and shiny. About once a month you can give your ferret a bath using warm water and a very mild shampoo such as baby shampoo. Rinse very well and dry with an absorbent towel.
You may want to also get into the habit of brushing his teeth on a regular basis. You can use any toothpaste intended for animals. You can purchase this in most pet stores or from your veterinarian.
Veterinarian Care
You should take your ferret to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and to obtain the necessary vacinations that are needed to keep your ferret healthy.
Training
You can train your ferret many things. He can be taught to walk on a leash. He can be trained to come when you whistle for him. One behavior that you will want to correct right from the start is biting. Ferrets will nip and occasionally bite out of fear or even during play. If this happens all you can do is firmly say no and perhaps put them in a cage for a short time so they know that they did wrong. Some people say that you should give them a little swat but I do not advise this. This just teaches your pet to be afraid of you and not trust you and could actually increase biting. I have trained many ferrets to stop biting just by raising my voice and firmly saying no.
Children And Ferrets
Very young children and ferrets do not mix well because young children are too rough and a ferret has a tendency to bite when surprised or hurt.
There are many good books available from Amazon.com that can give you additional information about ferrets such as:
1.) Training Your Pet Ferret- by: Gerry Bucsis and Barbara Somerville
2.) The Ferret: An Owners GuideTo A Happy Healthy Pet-by: Mary R. Shefferman,Eric Shefferman(contributor)
3.) Ferrets: Everything About Housing,Care,Nutrition,Breeding, And Health Care(Barron's Complete Pet Owners Manual) by- Lynn Morton
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